Pitalua Puts His Career on The Line With Munguia

The 42-year old power puncher has hovered around the gatekeeper level for years, but the wins are no longer coming with the type of frequency to which he prefers. The upside is that fights aren’t as hard to come by, as opponents now view him as ripe for the taking.

Friday night will reveal whether welterweight prospect Pablo Munguia can exploit it or fall prey, when he faces Pitalua in a pick-‘em crossroads bout.

“If Munguia beats me, I will retire for good,” Pitalua insists of Friday’s night headliner, which airs live on Telemundo from the Foro Palanco in Mexico City (11:35PM ET).

Both fighters made weight for their 12-round main event. Munguia came in at the divisional limit of 147 lb. Pitalua came in at 146 lb.

Munguia (15-3, 12KO) has racked up four straight wins in the span of 11 months and appears to be on the verge of transitioning from prospect to welterweight. A win over Pitalua will cast a more positive light on his budding career, putting last year’s knockout loss to Armando Robles further in the rearview mirror.

Age and location are on his side, with the fight marking Munguia’s fourth straight at Foro Polanco.

Pitalua (53-6-1, 47KO) is a fan favorite wherever he goes, primarily for his take-no-prisoners approach when he steps into the ring. Born in Colombia, the free-swinging knockout artist now calls Mexico home. More important to this fight, he now also calls welterweight home as well.

“I'm in great shape, I was losing a lot of strengh going down to 135 and 140,” says Pitalua, who is 2-2-1 in his last five contests. “At 147 I'm more comfortable and my power still there. Munguia was calling me out; he will get me and feel my power come Friday night.”